Daily Archives: July 29, 2021

All the sessions from Transform 2021 are available on-demand now. Watch now.

Google appears to be testing a new feature that allows users to add themselves and their parties to waitlists at restaurants that would normally require a phone call. Powered by Duplex, Googles AI-driven natural language processing technology that can converse with business owners over the phone, the waitlist capability could benefit hospitality organizations facing surges in traffic as pandemic fears abate.

People in the U.S. are returning to restaurants as the coronavirus appears to wane, leading to overcrowded dining rooms. Complicating matters, even before the pandemic restaurants struggled to juggle phone-based waitlists, not uncommonly leading to inaccurate wait times and long lines. One survey found that 72% of diners make reservations over the phone, eschewing online, in-person, or mobile app options.

On the other hand, businesses sometimes confuse Duplex with automated spam robocalls, The Verge has found. And an influx of Duplex calls about waitlist status could threaten to overwhelm restaurants with limited staff.

A solution might lie in Google Assistants new waitlist option, which showed up yesterday on this reporters OnePlus Nord N10 5G for restaurants in Google Maps and Google Search. Appearing as a Request to Join Waitlist button under listings in Maps and Search, it asks a user to specify their party size and maximum wait time (e.g., over 30 minutes, under 30 minutes) in case the restaurant has a waitlist. Pulling info saved to the users Google Account, including their name and phone number, Google Assistant (i.e., Duplex) attempts to call the restaurant to add their party to the waitlist.

Google Assistant provides text updates as it places the call, indicating whether its been successful or not. After we had waited about 30 minutes, Google Assistant reported that it had failed to secure a spot at Opus, a bistro in Salem, Massachusetts. A follow-up visit to the restaurant revealed that tables werent available because the kitchen had closed earlier in the evening.

When contacted for comment, a Google spokesperson told VentureBeat via email that they had nothing more to share at this time. [W]ere constantly experimenting with new features that use Duplex technology and do not have a timeline on when [or] if this specific capability will be available to the broader Google Assistant users [or restaurants], the spokesperson said.

Google receiveda ton of blowback after its initial Duplex demo in 2018, as many were not amused by how well it could mimic a human. As of October 2020, 99% of Duplex calls are fully automated, according to Google, with the rest being handled by human operators.

Part of the reason Duplex sounds so natural is that it taps Googles sophisticated WaveNet audio processing neural network and intelligently inserts speech disfluencies the ums and ahs people make involuntarily in the course of a conversation. In June 2018, Google promised Duplex would first introduce itself.

Indeed, Duplex makes it clear the call is automated and it doesnt call late at night or early in the morning. In all countries where it has launched, Duplex informs the person on the other end that theyre being recorded, and in some cases it provides a callback number. The call is handed off to a human operator on an unrecorded line if business owners respond with I dont want to be recorded or some variation of the phrase.

According to Google, operators annotate the call transcripts used to train Duplexs algorithms.

In light of the pandemic, the focus of Duplexs development had pivoted from bookings to store hours and inventory check-ins, as well asexpansion beyond the U.S. to Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, India, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, and the U.K., with languages including Spanish and Hindi. But in October, Google rolled out Duplexs availability to call barbershops, hairstylists, and salons to reserve appointments on a users behalf. The company more recently brought Duplex support to Nest smart displays, allowing owners to book a table at restaurants via Google Assistant.

Duplex and its underlying technology has also expanded to the web in recent years, automating tasks like purchasing tickets, checking into flights, and ordering food. Google most recently announced assisted checkout for retail, which clicks through guest checkout flows and auto-populates a users payment information on supported ecommerce sites.

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Google testing Duplex feature that adds names to restaurant waitlists - VentureBeat

Google has partnered with Stanford University on a new Autism Career Program for neurodiverse job ... [+] seekers.

Update 7/27: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Shar Bacchus was part of the Autism Career Program and is a Technical Program Manager at Google. They actually are part of Googles Disabled Leadership Advisory Board (DLAB).

Google on Monday announced in a blog post the launch of what it calls the Google Cloud Autism Career Program. The Bay Area-based tech titan said its designed to hire and support more autistic talent in the rapidly growing cloud industry.

This effort by Google is the latest in an ever-growing trend, spearheaded by organizations big and small, to amplify the worthiness of disabled people in the workforce and their potential impact on myriad industries. Companies like Ablr and The Ability People have made it their mission to get employers to be more mindful and inclusive of disabled people when it comes to hiring. In a society where disabled people are widely viewed as incapable of making meaningful contributions to the economytheres the ableism monster rearing its ugly head yet againthe technology industry can serve as a prime example of the opposing perspective. To wit, it is the unique, lived experiences of disabled people that make products from Apple, Google, and others as good as they arethey are literally built for everyone by everyone.

Even the mainstream media is taking notice of the neurodiverse community in the job market. The venerable 60 Minutes news show recently aired a story in which co-host Anderson Cooper interviewed six autistic people from across the autism spectrum about what its like not only to work but to find it and maintain it successfully.

The Autism Career Program is the result of a collaborative effort between Google and the Stanford Neurodiversity Project, itself a part of the universitys School of Medicine, to develop the initiative. The schools goal with the Project is to consult with and advise employers across the cloud computing industry on hiring potential workers from the neurodiverse community, and show how to make these employees careers a success. For its part, Google sees tremendous opportunity in funneling autistic people into the burgeoning cloud computing landscape. There are many ways they can excel.

One key pillar of our pilot program is to train up to 500 Google Cloud managers and others who are involved in hiring processes. Our goal is to empower these Googlers to work effectively and empathetically with autistic candidates and ensure Googles onboarding processes are accessible and equitable, wrote Rob Enslin, President of Global Customer Operations for Google Cloud, in the companys announcement. Stanford will also provide coaching to applicants, as well as ongoing support for them, their teammates and managers once they join the Google Cloud team.

Enslin added Google is using the new program to break down the barriers that autistic candidates most often face. In addition to bias, Enslin explained the typical job interview process often puts an autistic applicant at a disadvantage because there are no accommodationssuch as extending the interview time or answering questions in a Google Doc rather than verbally over the phonewith which the candidate can use to showcase their strengths. More often than not, they end up succumbing to their weaknesses exploited by how conventional job interviews are set up and managed.

In an exclusive interview with me conducted over email, Enslin said Googles impetus for working on the Autism Career Program was influenced by two factors. First, as Enslin alluded to in the blog post, Google sees the neurodiverse community as a veritable treasure trove of talent largely untapped. The second factor is inextricably tied to the first: the cloud computing industry is an area of the tech sector thats growing rapidly, and the demand for talent is commiserate with said fast growth.

There is an incredible opportunity within the technology industry for individuals from all backgrounds, and were eager to open more doors through our program, Enslin said.

Enslin explained how the cloud computing industry is an ideal environment for attracting top talentparticularly autistic talent. From sales to customer support to data science to engineering and more, there is an abundance of opportunity for hungry tech workers wanting work. Google believes autistic people can be successful doing anything in the organization; Enslin was confident in saying that because, as he told me, theyre already here making critical contributions. There are numerous Googlers, as employees are colloquially known, who identify as disabled and work on making Googles products more accessible. Its similar elsewhere in tech as well.

The bullishness with which Enslin and Google regard the contributions from those in the neurodiverse community stems from an institutional belief they can train hiring managers and other leaders to embrace disabled workers skills. In reality, however, the Autism Career Program is a microcosm of Googles philosophy on diversity and inclusion vis-a-vis disability. As Enslin put it: Google is incredibly proud to create a workplace for all individuals. While this program [the Autism Career Program] is just one example of Google Clouds commitment to inclusion, it is an important one, he said. With a team that is more representative of the diverse customers we serve, we will also create better products, services and experiences for our customers.

When asked what feedback on the Autism Career Program has been like, Enslin demurred. He instead offered a quote from Shar Bacchus, who serves on Googles internal Disabled Leadership Advisory Board (DLAB).

Responses to neurodiversity programs at work are as varied as the number of neurodiverse candidates and employees participating in them; there's no single answer that covers everyone's perspective. But I personally am excited that I work for a large company that's constantly learning to recognize and appreciate neurodiversity in its workforce; solicits my opinions and is building processes to address my needs, Bacchus said in a statement. I'm also excited about the work still ahead of us in appreciating and integrating neurodiversity, at Google, and across the globe.

As for what the future may hold for the Autism Career Program, Enslin said its early days yet so the primary focus currently is to ensure the launch is going well. He added he is pleased with how things are going thus far. He said Google will monitor its progression and continue to check in with Stanford to identify the most effective and sustainable way to scale the program while preserving the qualities that we hope make it successful in the first place. Moreover, Enslin reiterated the companys stance on uplifting the disability community, saying we remain committed to supporting the hiring of people with disabilities more broadly through our accommodations process in interviews and partnership with organizations like Disability:IN and Ability Jobs.

Any interested applicants to the Autism Career Program can contact the Stanford Neurodiversity Project for more information and how to apply.

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Exclusive: Google Cloud Exec Rob Enslin Talks Neurodiversity In The Workforce And How The Autism Career Program Seeks Top Talent - Forbes

Google Drive is adding the ability for users to block other accounts from sharing files with them, in a move thats designed to prevent potential harassment and spam on the platform. The feature, which is rolling out over the next two weeks, also stops accounts from accessing any files youve shared with them in the past, and removes any of their past files from your drive.

Drives sharing capabilities fuel productivity and collaboration, but bad actors can abuse tools that are meant to facilitate helpful sharing, Googles announcement post says. Thats why we are creating a way to block other users. Blocking an account in Drive will also prevent them from interacting with you across other Google services like Hangouts and Chat.

The search giant announced the new feature in May. It came after a report from Buzzfeed News highlighted an instance where a user was unable to remove a shared folder from an abusive ex-partner from their Drive. Because the folder contained innocuous photographs, Drives existing report as abuse feature wasnt an appropriate response, and the services design made it difficult to permanently remove the files otherwise.

According to Googles support page, the option to block a user will appear if you right-click a file theyve shared with you in Drive. Theres also an option to unblock users later if you change your mind. Its an important admission that sharing features can easily be abused by bad actors, even when theyre a part of a service thats not a traditional social network.

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Google Drive will let you block other users to stop potential harassment - The Verge

CUPERTINO (AP) Three tech companies Apple, Microsoft and Google owner Alphabet reported combined profits of more than $50 billion in the April-June quarter, underscoring their unparalleled influence and success at reshaping the way we live.

Although these companies make their money in different ways, the results served as another reminder of the clout they wield and why government regulators are growing increasingly concerned about whether they have become too powerful.

The massive profits pouring into each company also illustrated why they have a combined market value of $6.4 trillion more than double their collective value when the COVID-19 pandemic started 16 months ago.

APPLE

Apples first iPhone model capable of connecting to ultrafast 5G wireless networks continued to power major increases in quarterly revenue and profits for techs most valuable company.

With iPhone sales posting double-digit growth over the previous year for the third consecutive quarter, Apples profit and revenue for the April-June period easily exceeded analyst estimates. The Cupertino, California, company earned $21.7 billion, or $1.30 per share, nearly doubling profits earned during the same period last year. Revenue surged 36% to $81.4 billion.

But in a Tuesday conference call with analysts, Apple CEO Tim Cook lamented that the steadily spreading delta variant of the coronavirus is casting doubt on how the rest of the year will unfold. The road to recovery will be a winding one, Cook said. That uncertainty has already led Apple to delay employees mass return to its offices from September to October. Most of Apples stores, though, are already open.

The iPhone 12, released last autumn, is shaping up to be Apples most popular model in several years, largely because its the first to work on the 5G networks that are still being built around the world. Apples iPhone sales totaled nearly $40 billion in the latest quarter, up 50% from a year ago.

Apples services division, the focal point of a high-profile trial revolving around the commissions it collects from iPhone apps, saw revenue climb 33% from last year to $17.5 billion. A potentially game-changing decision from the trial completed in May is expected later this summer.

Among Apples upcoming challenges is whether shortages of computer chips and other key parts will force the company to delay its next iPhone this year, as it did last year. While Apple expects revenue to rise 10% in the current quarter, it said it may have more trouble getting parts for iPhones and iPad during the upcoming months. Executives skirted questions about another possible iPhone delay.

ALPHABET

Googles earnings improved markedly over the year-ago period, when the pandemic was starting to bite consumer spending and its partner, advertising. Now that vaccines have allowed people to shed the shackles of the pandemic and splurge again, a big chunk of that pent-up demand has spurred advertisers to spend more too, with a big chunk going to Google and its corporate parent Alphabet Inc.

Powered by Google, Alphabet earned $18.53 billion, or $27.26 per share, during the quarter, a nearly threefold increase from last years earnings of $6.96 billion, or $10.13 per share. Googles advertising revenue soared 69% to $50.44 billion thanks to what CEO Sundar Pichai called a rising tide of online activity among consumers and businesses.

Retail, along with travel and entertainment ads, were the biggest contributors to the revenue increase, the company said. Total revenue surged 62% from last year to $61.88 billion. Revenue after subtracting TAC, or traffic acquisition costs, was $50.95 billion.

The April-June quarter looks particularly strong since the 2020 downturn forced Google to report its first decline in quarterly ad revenue from the previous year.

Analysts were expecting Alphabet to earn $19.24 per share on revenue of $56.2 billion, and $46.2 billion after subtracting TAC. Alphabets stock jumped $135, or 5.1%, to $2,773 in after-hours trading after the results.

MICROSOFT

Microsoft on Tuesday reported fiscal fourth-quarter profit of $16.5 billion, up 47% from the same period last year. Net income of $2.17 per share beat Wall Street expectations. The software maker also topped forecasts by posting revenue of $46.2 billion in the quarter that ended on June 30, a 21% increase over the same time last year.

Analysts were expecting Microsoft to earn $1.91 per share for the April-June quarter on revenue of $44.1 billion. Microsoft profits have soared throughout the pandemic thanks to ongoing demand for its software and cloud computing services for remote work and study. After an initial dip in after-hours trading, the companys shares later recovered and were up by less than 1%.

Growth in sales of Microsofts cloud services, which compete with Amazon and other companies, and its Office productivity tools for handling work documents and email both outpaced overall revenue growth. The companys historical pillar personal computing grew just 9% in the quarter.

Microsoft noted that supply issues were affecting its personal-computing division, including for its Surface and Windows products. The company recently unveiled the next generation of Windows, called Windows 11, its first major update in six years. It will be available later this year.

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Apple, Microsoft, Google Report Combined 2Q Profits Of More Than $50 Billion - CBS San Francisco

Apples mobile web browser is the main lightning rod of this years iOS 15 beta period and it remains to be seen whether it will actually launch in the fall. Chrome for Android tried a similar Safari on iOS 15 redesign years ago, and a designer on that project provided some interesting insight into why Google abandoned it.

Safari on iOS 15 has what Apple calls a new tab bar design where the address field and other key actions are placed in a strip at the bottom of the screen, just above the system gesture bar.

The company says it maximizes your screen space and stays out of the way as you scroll and explore. Its in a very reachable position and allows you to jump between open tabs by swiping.

Ultimately, Apple believes it is reimagined for the way we browse today, but has been tweaking it over the past few betas.

Google attempted such a redesign with an effort called Chrome Home in 2016. Chris Lee a former staff interaction designer at Google behind the original concept and pitch talked about the project on his personal site, describing it as an ambitious redesign of mobile Chromes main UI. At a high level:

It brought Chromes toolbar to the bottom of the screen and turned [it] into a peeking panel that could be swiped to expose additional controls.

The Omnibox is moved below with the tab switcher and overflow menu right beside it. A swipe up, as hinted by a pull tab above the address field, shows users a traditional bottom bar with four sections. The first is for Discover and recent sites, Downloads, Bookmarks, and History.

Like Safari on iOS 15 today, this Chrome design was based on the growing screen sizes and the desire to create an interface that would still be usable with one hand. Another reason was how Chrome has a lot of features that are just placed in the three dot overflow menu because theres nowhere else to surface them, thus hurting discoverability.

Lee says Home caught traction internally, eventually becoming a Chrome org priority. After prototyping, live beta experiments/flags, and testing, the team heard a mixture of reactions.

Mainstream users said the redesign felt disorienting, though the feature gained a cult following among the tech community.

Chrome serves billions of users around the globe with varying tech literacy. I became increasingly convinced that launching Chrome Home would not serve all our users well.

So just [as strongly] as I had pitched the original concept, I advocated for us to stop the launch which took not a small amount of debate.

Google and this designers takeaway was about the intentionality needed to innovate within a product of massive scale. In February 2018, Google said it was ending the current Chrome Home experiment. Todays post finally provides an explanation why.

However, work on Chrome Duplex later renamed Duet started almost immediately. This split toolbar variant saw the Omnibox remain at the top of the screen, but saw Google bring the tab switcher, overflow menu, and various other shortcuts to a strip at the bottom. This project was also abandoned by mid-2020 in a sign that Google was still not comfortable with drastically changing Chromes UI.

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Ex-Googler explains why Chrome abandoned a redesign similar to iOS 15 Safari years ago - 9to5Google